New Design

When Ed Weatherby became company president in the early 1980s he had the stock redesigned with a more conventional pistol grip, though still using a good grade of walnut. Doing so let Weatherby price the Vanguard more in line with the “Sevens” and, at the new price point, sales skyrocketed. Today, in all its variations, the Vanguard has become a top choice for American hunters and shooters. In terms of accuracy, quality, reliability and appearance there just isn’t a better value in a modern sporting rifle.

The action design is quite conventional. It uses twin forward locking lugs with a substantial hook-type extractor built into the bolt face. Ejection is by a spring-loaded plunger. The forged and machined receiver has an integral recoil lug.
None of these features are particularly innovative, they are proven design features just done very well. For example, the Vanguard is one of the few current bolt actions in which the bolt is forged and machined in one piece. Obviously, many actions get along just fine with bolts assembled from two or three components, but a one-piece bolt is a feature many riflemen appreciate. The bolt is fluted for smoother operation and has three gas ports to handle escaping gas in the highly unlikely situation of a case failure.

As with the flagship Mark V rifle, the Weatherby Vanguard comes with an accuracy guarantee; three shots in 1-1/2" or less at 100 yards, using quality factory ammunition, from a cold barrel. I read funny comments about this guarantee sometimes, like it isn’t that great. Apparently some shooters have the notion each rifle just barely squeaks by, with 1-1/2" groups, no more or less. In fact they generally do much better. I’ve never shot a Vanguard, even the basic synthetic-stock blue steel models, that wouldn’t beat an inch for three shots at 100 yards. Some do much better.

A while back Weatherby decided there are enough real accuracy buffs out there it would be worthwhile to offer specially selected models, stocked in accuracy-enhancing synthetic stocks. These rifles are guaranteed to provide sub-minute of angle (MOA) accuracy and the floorplates proudly carry a sub-MOA logo.

The model shown here is a Varmint Sub MOA in the very popular .204 Ruger caliber. The .204 has proven to be wildly successful. Personally, I’ve pretty much retired my .22/250 and .220 Swift rifles in favor of the .204. It uses a .223-level powder charge, giving long barrel life and a modest report, along with a laser-flat trajectory.

The Trigger

The trigger is basically sound, safe and consistent, though heavier than I like at a bit over four pounds. Fortunately, it is adjustable by a qualified gunsmith. Generally, I plan on having the trigger tuned or replaced with the superb Timney on any new Vanguard.

On strictly prairie dog rifles I like plenty of scope, generally a target version topping out at 20X or 25X, though admittedly there are days when you can’t use full power. However for an all-around varmint rifle I felt a more compact “hunting” style scope was more in keeping.